goggle face

Last week I found my way over to the beginnertriathlete.com discussion boards, where I quickly realized, I have no idea what these people are talking about. Like, what is a crankset and who are these “Shimano” people who seem to have monopolized the bicycle world? Seriously, it was like someone dropping me off in the middle China without a Chinese-English dictionary. Other than knowing how to say “hi”, thanks to Ni Hao Kai Lan and my 3 year old, I’ve got nothing. I’m lost.

I am very grateful to have an amazing support system of athletes in my life that I can turn to with questions like this. But when it comes to training, well that’s a horse of a different color. Thinking about how I was going to throw myself head first into my first triathlon training program, incorporate it with a marathon training program, and fit it all in between school, kids, work, and life in general was enough to make my head spin. So I took what I thought would be the best measure in preventing burnout and/or total resentment for this sport because I have no idea what I’m doing. I hired a coach.

Coach Jeff didn’t even blink at my lofty goals (well, I didn’t actually see him read my initial email, but I’d like to imagine he didn’t laugh at me) and put me right to work on a customized plan. I have finished 4 workouts in 3 days and let me tell you, not only is it motivating to have someone holding you accountable, but it’s a huge weight off my shoulders at this point in my life for someone to do the “thinking” part for me. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I’m loving it. Especially since, I’ll say it again, I have no idea what I’m doing. Better than a gym membership, no doubt about it!!

In just two pool sessions I’m already starting to feel more confident and comfortable in the water. It’s amazing how I can run for hours at a time with a smile on my face, but can only swim one 25 yard length of the pool at a time. Principle of specificity, anyone? Wow, it’s been humbling. But I’ve spent the last few days googling and you-tubing everything I can about learning to swim. Let me tell you, those youtube videos are awesome. Some dude named Jimmy taught me how to roll my body and twist my hips all to the tune of Run DMC’s “it’s tricky”. I swear it worked!

I also learned that people wear swim caps not just to be super aerodynamic swimming machines…but it can protect your hair from chlorine damage and keep it dry. So I can swim, and then run to class real fast without dripping a pool of chlorine water on the notebook of the person behind me. (Hey, time is limited, you train whenever and wherever you can fit it in!)

However, one interesting tidbit I learned today, not through the wisdom of the world wide web, but through good old fashioned trial and error, was that swim goggles, when worn too tightly, will try and suck your eyeballs out. What’s more, they will leave evidence of this with something comparable to a giant, swim goggle face hickey…leaving you looking something like a raccoon, only substitute the black for bright pink. Here, let me draw you a picture with my awesome paintbrush skills:

And I had to go to class like that. My super sensitive skin assured that this condition lasted a good hour or more post swim. I could feel everyone staring, but no one saying a word. Probably because they had no freaking idea what I had done to myself. I giggled on the inside. My triathlon adventures have begun 🙂

______________________________________________________

And now for the moment you’ve been waiting for…(OK maybe not, but I’ve been pretty stoked for it!) the drawing for the Team Fight Virtual Raffle!

675 virtual raffle tickets were sold. $1125.00 raised for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Wow you guys! I can’t even begin to express my gratitude!! You all are amazing, and this raffle was a success above and beyond my wildest dreams! THANK YOU!!

I was just as nervous and giddy to see who won as you all were. To be honest I wish I could send each and every one of you a prize (especially you guys, you’d look great in pink!). But there could only be two…so I let http://www.random.org/ do the choosing.

and the runner up, winner of the bib keeper and other various goodies…Stephanie C @ Running in Hawaii !!!!!!!!

Congratulations ladies! I will be emailing you shortly to confirm your address and will get your goodies off to you this week! (and the promised thank you goody bags for those who donated $50 and above will go out as well!)

If you didn’t’ win this time, don’t worry, there is more where that came from! Another kick booty raffle will begin next month, and everyone who donated this go-round will get bonus entries for the next raffle.

Hi Heidi, I am so excited for you to start your training. I hate swimming…I suck at it so anytime someone tells me they had a swim workout I am usually very impressed! Go You!! Keep up the good work you are going to do awesome:) Love the picture!!

I look forward to following your adventures as you train for this tri. My hat’s off to you…training for 2 events is sure a time-suck.

I spent a bit of time on the Beginner Triathlete boards and was overwhelmed. I since stumbled-upon the TeamEstrogen.com site and really like their community. Almost entirely women, a bit quieter, but LOTS of knowledgeable, experienced athletes…mostly cyclists, but some runners, some who do tris…lots of backgrounds and very supportive.

Oh, i love it!yeah, the goggle thing…even when you get them dialed in… you’ll still have some of those goggle marks. Just think of em’ as badges of honor!and the swim cap is also more so your hair doesn’t get in your face too. love it. and i’m gonna go check out the other commentor’s rec on team estrogen.thx!

First, I love the post. I think you will find a couch invaluable. I was just about to email my coach to sign up for this year – I am just lost without her help. The coach will also help you with the new language of tri. I really have to spend some time on beginner triathlete.

Second, holy crap! I won. I am so excited. Thanks so much for raising money for a good cause.

A couple of years ago I was just as overwhelmed as you were about tris, but I actually love Beginnertriathlete.com now and find their forums/articles really helpful!

That’s awesome that you hired a coach…I wish I had one, but it’s just not in our budget this year!

Oh, and I know all about having a goggle face! Some days after my early morning swim I do strength training in the gym and get all kinds of looks from people. I really look like a racoon! Your goggle face is priceless..consider it like a badge of honor for training! 🙂

I am embarrassed that you learned swimming technique from a youtube video, and I can’t swim after multiple in-person lessons. And you figured out how to put on a swim cap so that your hair stays dry!!! Anyway, I am really impressed and motivated by all that you do–not motivated to attempt a triathlon, but inspired with how you manage training, family, and grad school.

Wow reading this post it felt like I wrote it…I’m right there with you with the whole Chinese thing…and like you got so confused with everything that I just hired a coach as well…It is so nice to have someone that you can go to with your “ok I know this is stupid, but what does this mean” questions! Oh and the swimming…? UGH! enough said….I guess it’s all a give it time issue! Good luck with you first tri!

Yeah that swim cap thing? They sure make a person look goofy but when you forget to bring one, like me yesterday, you are regretting not having it the WHOLE time. I fought more with my hair than anything else! lol

I’m glad I am not the only one whose eyes glaze over at tri-speak. I keep thinking that I’ll venture into that world since we have a couple of local sprint and Olympic distance tris, but get a little overwhelmed by all that I don’t know.

I run around with raccoon eyes a couple of times/week. I’m convinced it’s contributed to my wrinkles.; )But seriously, swimming is awesome and it’s such a great non-running activity to balance out the running. Enjoy the journey!

so funny about the googles!! Congrats. on raising so much for such a great cause!!I didn’t know you were training for a Tri.I was seriously thinking about it but my Hubby said not the twinkies are older.He was the one that had to watch them when I did the half!!:)I am ready in my mind,though

Hmmmm, I will be interested in hearing more about the coach, it is not something I have considered, until now, you have me intrigued…

I love your goggles story, I wear my goggles super tight because I wear eye makeup and when I swim at lunch I don’t want my mascara to smear, somehow I think that big pink rings around my eyes looks better than smeared mascara, my logic seemed very flawed right at this moment 🙂

Heather – so great to hear you are “diving right in” and taking on the new challenge with such enthusiasm. You have a six month +/- headstart on me as I won’t start working with a swim coach until after the Boston and Pittsburgh Marathons, but I look forward to swimming this summer.

Best of luck Heather! You are such an inspiration. Best from Austin, J

I just found your blog, and I am enjoying reading it so far! I’m still in the “beginning” stages of running, and certainly not ready for a triathlon yet- but I admire your goal! I think hiring a coach sounds like a fantastic idea.

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Meet Heather

I'm Heather, mom of two, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, and an overzealous athlete who cannot focus on a single discipline, so I train for all of them at the same time. When in doubt, I run...and then write about it. Read More…

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